A man who died after taking a number of different types of drugs was found surrounded by packages of tablets bought on the Dark Web.

Andrew Cook died in his living room on Valley Road in Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, on July 1.

The 35-year-old frequently bought tablets online and had them delivered through the post, an inquest into his death at Teesside Coroner’s Court heard.

Packs of medication - some full and some empty - were found on his table, alongside two packages containing “unknown” drugs.

The court heard the packages were bought on the Dark Web - part of the internet only accessible by those using special software, allowing users to remain untraceable.

Mr Cook had a history of opioid dependence, misuse of prescribed medication, overdoses and mental health problems, starting in 2004.

After several attempts at recovery, supported by his family, things started “going down hill” after the death of his mother in September 2016, the inquest heard.

His sister Susan Wadwell said she knew he ordered medication through the internet and had “urged him to stop”. She described her brother as a “lovely, kind person” who had lived with her since he was very young.

She said: “I loved him as my own even though I was his sister.”

Mr Cook was found by his brother Michael, who sensed “something was wrong” after not seeing him for a couple of days.

A post mortem found a “cocktail of drugs” in his body, including levels of prescription drugs many times above those associated with therapeutic doses.

Assistant coroner Jo Wharton concluded his death was the unintended consequence of taking “various drugs” and recorded a verdict of “misadventure”.